The hiccup is an involuntary contraction of the diaphragm and other chest muscles, followed by the closing of the glottis and vibration of the vocal cords, thus producing a characteristic noise.
This spasm is triggered by an irritation of some nerve, such as the vagus or phrenic nerve, or part of the brain that controls the respiratory muscles, which can happen for several reasons, such as:
- Dilation of the stomach, caused by excess food or fizzy drinks; Consumption of alcoholic beverages; Gastrointestinal disorders, such as gastroesophageal reflux, for example; Changes in blood electrolytes, such as decreased calcium, potassium or sodium; Renal failure, which causes excess urea in the blood; Decrease in CO2 in the bloodstream, caused by rapid breathing; Infections, such as gastroenteritis or pneumonia; Respiratory or abdominal inflammation, such as bronchitis, esophagitis, pericarditis, cholecystitis, hepatitis or inflammatory bowel disease; Surgeries in the chest or abdomen region; Brain diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, meningitis or brain cancer, for example.
Despite these possible causes, it is still unclear how these changes lead to spasms of the diaphragm and chest.
Most of the time, the cause of the hiccup is not serious, however, if it persists for more than 2 days, or if it is accompanied by other symptoms that indicate diseases such as pneumonia or brain diseases, it is necessary to consult the general practitioner to investigate the cause.
Causes of hiccups in the baby
Hiccups in the baby are very common and can even happen before birth, still in the mother's womb. This can happen because your chest muscles and diaphragm are still developing, so in most cases it is not a cause for concern. Know what to do to stop the baby's hiccups.
However, if the hiccup lasts more than 1 day, or is disturbing the baby to sleep or breastfeed, it may have other causes at its origin, such as infections or inflammations, for example, and it is therefore important to consult the pediatrician, for investigation and correct treatment.
What to do in case of hiccups
Usually, the hiccup resolves spontaneously in a few minutes, but in some cases, it can last up to 2 days. To stop the hiccup, it is important to resolve its cause, but if it is a temporary situation, there are some methods to make it pass more quickly, through maneuvers, such as drinking cold water, holding your breath for a few seconds or breathing inside. a paper bag, for example, that stimulate the vagus nerve and increase CO2 levels in the blood.
Check these and other maneuvers to stop the hiccup.
If the hiccup persists for more than 2 days, or if it is constant and repetitive, it is recommended to seek assistance from the general practitioner, so that some tests, with chest X-rays and blood tests, are requested to investigate the possible causes of the hiccup.. If necessary, the doctor may also prescribe a medication to treat persistent hiccups.
